Wrathion struggled with all his might, but it was meaningless. Tangible arcane energy held him in an iron grip, leaving him no chance to resist.
"Even your father Neltharion was no match for me after gaining the power of the Old Gods, and you think you stand a chance at your level?" Patrick mocked. "You still have a long way to go."
Never fight an enemy on their home ground, especially a mage on his home ground. That was common knowledge, and Sunlight City was Patrick's stronghold. Turning against Patrick here took tremendous courage and confidence.
Onyxia stood silently to one side, her face utterly expressionless. Sabellian's face was ashen. Whatever else might be said, Wrathion was his brother, and seeing Patrick hold him like that was nothing short of a humiliation for the black dragons.
"Consider them your subordinates." Patrick tossed Wrathion straight onto the ground. "If he wants to leave, let him. The Covenant isn't that easy to join. Nobility only means anything when others acknowledge it. You only get this opportunity once. If you choose my protection, first go and read all the rules of the Covenant and its member states. If you give up my protection, you're free to walk away. I won't stop you."
"You may leave."
Bringing a young dragon into the fold was not easy, especially a black dragon as wild as Wrathion. A faction's cohesion and sense of belonging could not be created through preferential treatment and gifts alone. Unearned favors and gifts would only make those ignorant, arrogant fools believe themselves superior and take other people's contributions for granted.
Of course, would Wrathion be unable to survive without Patrick's protection? The answer was no. Even if Patrick did not want him, there were plenty of leaders in the Alliance and Horde